Lobster and Corn Fritters

If you have leftover lobster, this is the perfect recipe to feature the seafood. Fried with juicy sweet corn and served with a lemon and tarragon aioli, it’s hard to resist eating all of these lobster fritters.

When it comes to lobster, it really doesn’t get any better than eating them freshly steamed and whole. There’s nothing like gathering around with a bunch of friends and cracking them open with lots of melted butter and lemons for dipping and squeezing. Preferably outside, on a big newspaper-lined picnic table. Corn on the cob optional. And it better be messy, with shells and juices flying all over the place.

Of course, there are certainly plenty other ways to enjoy lobster, and I love each and every one of them. But I find it to be almost sacrilegious to enjoy a freshly cooked lobster any other way than stated above. Any other preparation is perfectly fine made with day-old lobster leftover from said lobster feast. In fact, I think it’s much better that way. Steam the lobsters one night and just enjoy them as-is. They deserve that much.

But always, always, always make sure you have extras so you can whip up something equally as amazing the next day. That, my friends, you most definitely deserve.

These lobster corn fritters are the ultimate summer appetizer to share with friends… err… well… or to hoard all to yourself like the greedy cook that you are, and then feel like crap immediately after because you just ate an entire batch of fried dough. Don’t do that. Don’t be like me that person. Share. Share, share, share. You’ll be so much happier if you do, and hey! So will your friends.

Fresh, sweet summer corn is such a perfect pair for succulent, juicy lobster. That’s why you always see them together. It just works. It’s one of those classic combos. Nestled into a light, savory dough and fried until golden brown and crisp, these fritters are wonderful on their own, but even better when dipped into this creamy, lemony tarragon aioli.

Tarragon just so happens to be another one of lobster’s BFF’s. It’s something I always add to my lobster bisque, and you’d never even know it’s there. Tarragon has a somewhat licoricey flavor, which is why a lot of people don’t like it. And personaly, I hate licorice, but I absolutely love tarragon when used in the right application. When paired with lobster, tarragon actually enhances the flavor and makes whatever you’re cooking actually taste more, well, lobstery. It’s pretty magical, and it’s why this sauce pairs up so perfectly with these fritters. That said, if you’re really adamantly opposed, you can always substitute basil, which would be equally as nice.

If you have leftover lobster, this is the perfect recipe to feature the seafood. Fried with juicy sweet corn and served with a lemon and tarragon aioli, it's hard to resist eating all of these lobster fritters. Adapted from Food + Wine

Author: Nicole Gaffney

Recipe Type: Appetizer

Serves: 6 appetizer servings

Ingredients

For the Tarragon Aioli

⅓ cup tarragon leaves, loosely packed

1 small clove garlic, grated or finely minced

½ lemon, juiced

½ cup mayonnaise

FOR THE FRITTERS

¾ cup all purpose flour

¼ cup corn starch

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon kosher salt

¾ cup buttermilk

1 large egg

1 packed cup lobster meat, claws and tail, coarsely chopped

1 ear of corn, kernels removed from the cob

2 tablespoons minced chives

Vegetable oil, for frying

salt, for sprinkling

Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

MAKE THE AIOLI

Combine the tarragon, garlic, lemon juice and mayonnaise in a food processor and blend until the tarragon is completely broken down and the color turns pale green. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.

MAKE THE FRITTERS

Whisk together the flour, corn starch, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the buttermilk and egg, then whisk until just combined. Gently fold in the lobster, corn and chives, then set aside.

Heat 1-2 inches of oil in a large saucepan with high sides over medium heat. Test a small piece of batter first to see if the temperature is right. It should sizzle, but not furiously, and it should not drop to the bottom of the pan. When the oil is ready, drop 4-5 generous spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil and fry, turning once, until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Sprinkle immediately with salt, then repeat with the remaining batter. Serve immediately with tarragon aioli and lemon wedges on the side.